August 19th 2024.
As the 2024 US Open approaches, all eyes are on British tennis star Emma Raducanu, who has been making a remarkable comeback this season. After missing out on wildcards for the tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, Raducanu is now gearing up for the final Grand Slam of the year in New York.
It's hard to believe that just three years ago, Raducanu shocked the world by winning the US Open women's singles title as a qualifier. However, her journey hasn't been without its challenges. In 2023, she faced a series of injuries which led to her decision to have triple surgery. But now, after making her return to the WTA Tour in January, Raducanu has been climbing back up the rankings and producing impressive results.
One of her most notable achievements this season was her victory over Jessica Pegula at the Eastbourne International, marking her first career win against a top-10 opponent. She then followed it up with a stunning performance at Wimbledon, where she reached the last 16 after defeating Maria Sakkari. However, it hasn't been all smooth sailing for Raducanu, as she has also faced some tough defeats, like in Madrid where she lost to an unknown qualifier in the first round.
In light of her resurgent comeback, the Agency has asked former British No.1 Tim Henman to rate Raducanu's 2024 season so far. Henman gave her an impressive 8.5 out of 10, taking into account her results and improvements in her game. He praised her for making some alterations to her service motion and for her attacking style of play. However, he also acknowledged that there is still room for improvement.
Henman was particularly impressed with Raducanu's performances at the Stuttgart Open and the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, where she won four clay matches in a row. He also mentioned her strong showing at Wimbledon, where she defeated Diane Parry, Caroline Garcia, Angelique Kerber, and Linda Noskova before falling to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Reflecting on her journey, Henman believes that the injuries Raducanu faced in 2023 were a blessing in disguise, as they allowed her to take a step back, focus on her health, and become physically stronger and more resilient. He also pointed out that despite only playing in 11 tournaments so far this year, Raducanu has already climbed up to the top 50 in the world rankings.
Henman dismissed any obsession with Raducanu's schedule or coach, emphasizing that she is only 21 and has plenty of opportunities ahead of her. Instead, he urged her to focus on the long-term and continue moving in the right direction.
When it comes to predicting her performance at the US Open, Henman feels uncomfortable making any guarantees. He acknowledges that Raducanu could face tough competition, like a potential first-round match against Iga Swiatek. However, he believes that as long as she remains focused on the process and continues to improve as a player, it will be a successful few weeks for her.
As fans eagerly await Raducanu's performance at the US Open, they can catch all the action exclusively on Sky Sports and their streaming service NOW from August 26. With Raducanu's determination and hard work, it's sure to be an exciting tournament to watch.
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